---
title: "NCAA approves NFL-style OTAs, schedule and transfer portal window changes for 2027"
url: https://newscentral.site/ncaa-approves-nfl-style-otas-schedule-and-transfer-portal-window/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Sports"
published: 2026-11-05T21:53:13.000Z
updated: 2026-11-06T00:32:15.324Z
id: 47227753-0fbe-4892-bd76-731c9933d601
source: "CBS Sports \n                                                https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ncaa-nfl-style-otas-schedule-transfer-portal-window-changes-2027/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/ncaa-approves-nfl-style-otas-schedule-and-transfer-portal-window/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# NCAA approves NFL-style OTAs, schedule and transfer portal window changes for 2027

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has given its approval to significant changes in the college football calendar for 2027. The revised schedule will allow for NFL-style voluntary workouts during the summer months and marks a shift away from previous rules governing offseason activities.

One of the key changes is the introduction of an altered offseason practice calendar, enabling teams to conduct voluntary workouts over the summer period. This move has been welcomed by coaches, who have long advocated for more flexibility in their training schedules. The NCAA's decision to adopt this format brings college football closer to its professional counterpart.

The revised FBS season will begin a week earlier than previously scheduled, with games kicking off on what was previously designated as Week 0. As a result of the added week, each team will now receive two bye weeks during the season. This change is aimed at providing teams with more time to rest and recover between matches.

Josh Brooks, Vice Chair of the NCAA Oversight Committee and Athletic Director at Georgia, has been instrumental in shaping these changes. Brooks and his team have worked closely with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to develop a revised calendar that meets the needs of coaches and student-athletes.

The new calendar also introduces a shortened transfer portal window in January, allowing teams more time to adjust their rosters before the start of the season. This change is part of a broader effort to streamline the college football calendar and provide greater clarity for all involved parties.

The NCAA has made significant changes to the college football calendar, including the introduction of NFL-style OTAs and adjustments to the schedule and transfer portal window.

One of the key components of these changes is a new offseason activities calendar that will allow teams to conduct 21 on-field practices across two sessions in the spring and summer. These sessions cannot exceed seven weeks combined, with no single session lasting more than five weeks.

A minimum of nine discretionary or voluntary weeks for athletes must be designated by schools when athletic activities are not permitted. This provision aims to provide athletes with a break from rigorous training and competition.

The revised schedule will also see the college football season start one week earlier next fall, with Week 1 now aligned with what was previously known as Week 0. Teams will receive an extra off week during the season as part of these changes.

The NCAA has approved significant changes to its schedule and transfer rules, set to take effect in 2027. A major alteration is the introduction of NFL-style OTAs (organized team activities), which will allow teams more flexibility in their offseason training.

The new calendar also includes a revised transfer portal window, condensed from 15 days to just 10 days in January. This change comes on top of eliminating the spring transfer portal window this year, resulting in players having less time to make decisions about joining the transfer market.

---
Source: [CBS Sports](
                                                https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ncaa-nfl-style-otas-schedule-transfer-portal-window-changes-2027/
                    )  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/ncaa-approves-nfl-style-otas-schedule-and-transfer-portal-window/